Did you know that @WVUFLU supports the state of West Virginia subsidizing the #dogracing industry with YOUR TAX DOLLARS?
$17 million dollars of our state budget is going to the cruel practice of #Greyhound Racing.
@WVUFLU you have the opportunity to grow and change. #wvpol
“Without the purse subsidies from the racetrack’s gaming operations, purses would decline to such a level as to make it uneconomic for kennel owners to continue to race greyhounds in West Virginia.” And most of the winnings don't even stay in state. #wvpol#GreyhoundDerby2023
Female #greyhounds are routinely given methyltestosterone, an anabolic steroid, to prevent a loss of race days. This performance enhancing drug is prohibited in other dog racing jurisdictions, but continues in #WestVirginia. But @WVUFLU says this isn't abusive.
State regulations require just a minimum cage size of 44 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 34 inches high, and do not limit the amount of time #greyhounds can be left confined. During February 2021, a total of 665 dogs raced at Mardi Gras & 1,028 at Wheeling. #wvpol#AnimalAbuse
And it's weird that @WVUFLU and @JimJusticeWV are in agreement to continue the abusive nature of #greyhound racing in #WestVirginia. In 2017, Jim Justice vetoed a bill to defund the greyhound breeding fund. Only 63 entities receive those $17 million tax payer dollars.
Even Mitch Carmichael (former Republican Senate President) agrees that dog racing in West Virginia is not good for us.
“We cannot take that type of job hit and additionally our municipal #pensions are tied largely to our tracks.” said Erikka Storch (R-Ohio) so my question stands why are municipal pensions tied to the success of a sport that is rife with #animalabuse? #wvpol#greyhounds
A company called @delawarenorth, another out of state business entity located in #buffalony is taking YOUR TAX DOLLARS for this inhumane form of entertainment. As we discussed much of the winnings leave the state too. Is it too much to ask for decoupling #greyhounds from casinos?
The company @delawarenorth also says it's not even really profitable. They have stated if we decouple #dogracing from #casino operation they would support an end to the Breeding Fund. Money bet is also decreasing.
Heck even Chris Pritt (R-Kanawah) agrees that #dogracing is not a good look for #westvirginia.
Of course Pritt isn't concerned with any law being about "humane" conditions, but this is a barrier to conscience minded #tourism.
It's also noteworthy that @RyanWeld owns a #rescuegreyhound but thinks nothing is wrong with the sport. THERE IS A REASON WE HAVE TO RESCUE #GREYHOUNDS FROM TRACKS. And now Ryan is running for Attorney General. #wvpol
Our elected officials are financially supported by an industry rife with #animalabuse and inhumane conditions, including the death of dogs from fractures and cardiac arrest. But they swear it's not inhumane. We beg to differ. #wvpol#campaignfinance
It is never too late for our elected officials to learn, grow, and do what is right. For a legislature that claims to protect the lives of all of God's creatures, we are failing #WestVirginia's #greyhounds.
This has been brought to you as a thread from @FolkReporters
Lemme tell ya something...
So much of the situation with nurses right now was not caused by COVID. It was just the cherry on top. For decades nurses have had a shortage, but what we don't lack is money hungry CEOs. 1/ wvnews.com/news/wvnews/re…
What we don't lack is bad leadership. From department managers on up to the top. The bigotry, racism, and outright hostile work environment created by corporate interest in our hospitals. We don't have safe working conditions, equitable pay or benefits... 2/
We are often forced to work while we are sick. Mandatory overtime. No work life balance. Lack of supplies and PPE to do our jobs and constant budget cuts while our corporate masters get raises. We are also threatened with termination if we want to unionize! 3/
I have started and stopped this thread several times. But I'm about to get real with folks.
Tw: violence, mental health struggles, LGBTQ identity, violence, guns, etc.
The reality of being non-binary trans bisexual in Rural West Virginia. 1/
I'm often terrified to leave my house because on more than one occasion I have had my life threatened for being LGBTQ. This leads to agoraphobia. I am scared constantly. 2/
Even in local political gatherings, the misgendering never stops. The supposed pro-lgbtq people make their performative allyship speak loudly. It's clear they go through the motions but there is no meat behind it. So I quit showing up. Because I'm constantly scared. 3/
Correct me if I am wrong but I'm trying to put together some pieces... Anti-trans youth legislation comes to @wvlegislature. Fairness responds by hiring pro-life but gay MAGA Republican to lobby supermajority to vote down legislation. We actually LOST votes in the house. A 🧵 1/
Unexpected votes in favor of the trans youth genocide result in @WVCantWait and @mountainpartywv revoking endorsement. Fairness doubles down on lobbyist, and more anti LGBTQIA2+ legislation has been introduced this year than ever before. 2/
I mean if actions have consequences, is it no surprise that we are pulling our endorsement of what by all definitions is an organization failing to meet it's objectives and losing the trust of the community they claim to serve? 3/
So I spoke with the Health Care Authority of West Virginia who approves certificates of need in our state. A 🧵 by #folkreporter@folkreporters 1/
I spoke with Timothy Adkins, the interim director of the Certificate of Need program. He clarified the CON program for me, as it pertains to #obgyntwitter in West Virginia. 2/
If an ambulatory care center aka hospital or hospital affiliated clinic exists in your community, that entity DOES NOT need to apply for a CON to add #obgyntwitter care to it's existing facility. 3/
The overwhelming testimony regarding #hb2007 in #WestVirginia that this bill will result in the death of #transyouth. Clergy included. The line is out the door. Parents of trans kids are scared. Here's a thread on my thoughts and key take aways. #folkreporter | @FolkReporters 1/
Rorhbach (Cabell - 26) continues to text in the background while people pour their hearts out. Suicide rates amongst trans kids are high. For trans youth it's transition or die. 2/
More testimony being given regarding letting qualified medical professionals help make these decisions not legislature. 3/